BA Sociology and Social Policy with Year Abroad
About this course
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Social Policy with Year Abroad, a sociology and social policy degree focused on social institutions and public policy. Core topics include Data Analysis, Research Methods, Policy Analysis, and Social & Cultural Analysis. Students complete an integrated year abroad during the third year of the programme. The first year covers foundations through Introduction to Social Policy, The Sociological Imagination, Discovering Social Problems, and Crime, Justice and Society. The second year builds competence with Policy Analysis, Modern Sociological Theory, Social Research II, and Gender and Sexuality. The fourth year features advanced study including the Social Policy, Sociology and Criminology Dissertation, alongside optional modules such as Quantitative Data Analysis and Technology & Society.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A Level: ABB. IB: 6,5,5 at Higher Level with a minimum of 32 points overall.. BTEC: BTEC Extended Diploma, Diploma and Subsidiary Diploma are all considered.
What students say
Based on about 34 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 88%
- Learning opportunities: 81%
- Assessment and feedback: 77%
- Academic support: 93%
- Organisation and management: 82%
- Learning resources: 86%
- Student voice: 76%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 40 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 95%
- Left higher education: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 11 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 75%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Further study: 5%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 15%
- Elementary occupations: 12%
- Teaching Professionals: 11%
- Sales occupations: 9%
- Administrative occupations: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 90%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 80%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 45%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 60 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 11%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 2%
- East Midlands: 2%
- West Midlands: 49%
- East of England: 7%
- London: 14%
- South East: 10%
- South West: 6%
Who gets in
Based on about 40 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 95%
- Other qualifications: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Bronze for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Introduction to Social Policy
- The Sociological Imagination
- Discovering Social Problems
- Crime, Justice and Society
- Introduction to Social Divisions
- Social Research I
- Policy Analysis
- Modern Sociological Theory
- Social Research II
- Gender and Sexuality
- Poverty, Class and Inequality
- Race and Racism
- Histories of Criminal Justice and Empire
- Housing, Home and Place: Issues in Policy
- Media and Society
- Education, Policy and Social Justice
- Enterprising Solutions to Social Problems
- Social Psychology
- Terror, Threat and Security
- Youth, Crime and Justice
- Social Policy, Sociology and Criminology Year Abroad
- Social Policy, Sociology and Criminology Dissertation
- Selling the Self? Sex, Gender and Consumer Culture
- Social Policy, Inequality and the Life Course
- Genocide and Mass Atrocities
- Crime and the City
- Contemporary Social Theory
- Sociology of Success and Spectacle
- Policing Migration: victims, villains and global border regimes
- Professional Development
- Harmful Societies: Crime, Social Harm and Social Justice
- Drugs: Society, Politics and Policy
- Quantitative Data Analysis
- Technology & Society
- Children as Citizens
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Sociology and Social Policy with Year Abroad at University of Birmingham earn?
The median salary is £27,000 after 15 months, £25,000 after 3 years, £29,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £25,500 and £41,500. The £29,500 median after five years is £3,000 more than the UK median for Sociology.
What do graduates of BA Sociology and Social Policy with Year Abroad at University of Birmingham do next?
90% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Sociology and Social Policy with Year Abroad at University of Birmingham?
88% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Sociology and Social Policy with Year Abroad at University of Birmingham?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 32 points in the IB. The average entrant had 134 UCAS points.
Does BA Sociology and Social Policy with Year Abroad at University of Birmingham include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has a compulsory year abroad.
How many students continue on BA Sociology and Social Policy with Year Abroad at University of Birmingham?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.